Bezel for fiber optic components

ABSTRACT

A bezel for facilitating the connection between an external device positioned on one side of a communication panel and a module located on the other side of the panel where the panel having an opening for receiving the bezel. The bezel includes a housing defining an interior portion of the bezel, a first open end for insertion into the opening of the panel and the module, where the first end receives a first communication connection from the module for connection with the external device, and a second open end having a removable cover. The second end receives a second communication connection from the external device for connection with the first communication connection.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a bezel for connection of optical components to an optical coupler. More particularly, the present invention relates to a bezel for connecting an optical attenuator to an optical coupler.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Connectors for optical fiber transmission systems are known in the art. Often times it becomes necessary to arrange a plurality of optical fiber connectors in a panel to facilitate multifiber connections. Desirably, devices for holding connectors are mounted in the panel but the connectors themselves are not connected to incoming or outgoing fiber paths until needed to provide service. Commonly used devices which are used to accommodate interconnections are referred to as couplings.

[0003] A very much used connector for terminating and connecting two optical fibers is one which is referred to as an SC connector. An SC connector is connected to another SC connector from a module through an SC coupling by linear motion only.

[0004] Many optical fiber communication systems require a method of decreasing optical power at a reducing station to avoid the saturation of receivers. Such a reduction in power may be accomplished by introducing into the system a device known as an attenuator which is designed to dissipate or to attenuate a controlled fraction of the input power while allowing the balance to continue through the system. Such an attenuator is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,082,345 in the names of R. R. Cammons, A. W. Carlisle and N. R. Lampert.

[0005] Typically, an attenuator is attached to an SC optical coupler which is attached to a communication module within a control panel; attenuators are very often not included on an optical communication module until a connection is required. This is because depending upon the connection, a different strength optical signal may be required. At the time a connection is required, the panel is opened, and the module containing the SC optical coupler is removed so that an appropriate attenuator may be connected.

[0006] This method of installing an attenuator is very laborious and requires that the communication module from which the SC optical coupler is connected to be placed temporarily out of service.

[0007] Thus, there exists the need to be able to attach an attenuation device to the module without having to take the module out of service.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention addresses the above concern and presents a new and novel device for facilitating the connection of an external optical component to a panel. Moreover, the present invention lends itself to connection of an attenuation device to an optical coupler without disrupting an optical module.

[0009] In one aspect of the present invention, a bezel for facilitating the connection of an optical connector between an optical couple positioned on a module within a panel.

[0010] The bezel includes a housing, a first end for insertion into the panel, an interior portion positioned within the housing for positioning of an optical coupler and a second end having a removable cover concealing an opening. The opening exposes an end of the optical coupler positioned within the interior of the bezel for connection to the external device.

[0011] In another aspect of the present invention, the above described bezel may be used in conjunction with a fiber optical connection panel which includes a communication module including a fiber optical connector for making a connection with an external optical device, and connection surface adjacent the module having an opening corresponding to the connector. The bezel according to the present invention is positioned within the opening and facilitates the optical connection between the connector and the external device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0012] Other features of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of specific embodiments thereof when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bezel for connection of optical components according to the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the bezel according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Referring now to FIG. 1, a bezel 1 for facilitating connection of an attenuator 22 to an optical coupler 24 includes a housing 2, an end 6 for being received in a corresponding receiving area in an optical communication module within an opening in a panel housing optical fiber connections and the like.

[0016] The bezel may be manufactured from a variety of materials including metal and plastic, but is preferably made from plastic, and is preferably manufactured by injection molding.

[0017] The bezel 1 also includes an end 4 having a hinged cover 8, which conceals an opening exposing an end of an optical coupler 24 positioned in an interior portion within the bezel housing.

[0018] The hinged portion 10 of the cover may be integral with the housing 2, or it may include an actual hinge, a half of which is included on the cover and the remaining half being positioned on an upper portion of the end 4 of the bezel.

[0019] The cover may also include locking tabs 8 a. The tabs 8 a include two halves 8 a 1 and 8 a 2 with ends having inclined surfaces that enable easy insertion into a corresponding opening 4 a positioned adjacent end 4 of the bezel housing 2. When the cover is placed in a closed position to conceal the interior portion within the end 4, the two halves of the tabs 8 a compress together. A force generated by the compression of the halves is placed on the sides of the openings 4 a, allowing the cover to remain in a closed position.

[0020] The cover is easily opened by applying an outward force on lifting tab 8 b. The outward force overcomes a frictional force created between each half of the locking tabs and the respective wall of the opening 4 a, thereby allowing the cover to open and expose the interior of the bezel housing.

[0021] Adjacent end 6 of the bezel are several locking cams 11 positioned on the end of corresponding finger projections 12. The cams 11 are received in corresponding slots on a module within the panel, and lock thereto. The slots in the module surround an optical connector for connection to the optical coupler of the bezel. The cams 11 restrain the optical coupler in the bezel from linear movement away from optical connector of the optical module and also prevents the bezel from being pulled away from the panel, or dislodged in any way.

[0022] It will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, that the bezel cover in the cover in the closed position is preferably flush with a vertical access panel surface of an optical connection box. Thus, the housing of the bezel is connected with the optical module at a downward angle, shown as angle A with a horizontal reference in FIG. 2. Positioning the bezel at a downward angle relative to a vertical access panel helps to avoid any potential eye injury to a technician working with the coupler within the bezel. Accordingly, if the bezel housing was instead mounted substantially perpendicular to the access panel, a technician might accidentally look directly into the optical coupler, and thus the light path, within the bezel housing potentially damaging his vision. By mounting the bezel housing at a downward angle, the direction of light emanating from the optical coupler within the bezel housing is downward away from the eye level of a technician and toward the ground.

[0023]FIG. 2 illustrates the bezel according to the present invention as assembled with an optical module 26 inside a panel 28. The locking cams 11 are received by corresponding slots 26 a and 26 b which allow the locking cams 11 to pass through and lock on the other side. The slots are positioned away from one another in the vertical direction as seen in FIG. 2 so that the distance between the inside walls of a pair of adjacent slots, 26 a and 26 b, is equal to the distance between the two corresponding projecting fingers 12 of the bezel. The slots are also formed so that the respective cam can easily fit through and lock on the other side.

[0024] As soon as the cams pass through the module wall, they lock into place, yielding an audible “snap” sound indicating that the bezel is locked into place. Thus, the bezel cannot be removed from outside the panel or the module.

[0025] Depending upon the bezel design, the front 4 of the bezel may snap into a cutout in the front panel of the optical connection box. When access to a particular optical module is required, the cover 8 is opened by pulling back on tab 8 b, exposing the optical coupler. The external optical component may then be connected to the exposed end of the optical coupler to complete the communication connection.

[0026] This system is especially advantageous in connecting an attenuator to the optical module. Once an appropriate attenuator is selected for a particular application, one end of the attenuator is plugged onto an external optical connector, the bezel cover is lifted, and then the other end of the attenuator is plugged into the optical coupler positioned within the bezel housing.

[0027] It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are simply illustrative of the invention. Other arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A bezel for facilitating the connection between an external device positioned on one side of a communication panel and a module located on the other side of said panel, said panel having an opening for receiving said bezel, said bezel comprising: a housing, said housing defining an interior portion; a first open end for insertion into said opening and said module, wherein said first end receives a first communication connection from said module for connection with said external device; and a second open end having a removable cover, wherein said second end receives a second communication connection from said external device for connection with said first communication connection.
 2. The bezel according to claim 1, wherein said interior portion houses an optical coupler for connecting an optical connector of said module to an optical connector of said external device.
 3. The bezel according to claim 1, wherein external device comprises an attenuator.
 4. The bezel according to claim 1, wherein said optical coupler comprises an SC optical coupler.
 5. The bezel according to claim 1, wherein said second end is flush with said panel.
 6. The bezel according to claim 1, wherein said cover is hinged to said body.
 7. The bezel according to claim 1, wherein said cover includes a locking member for locking said cover in a closed position.
 8. The bezel according to claim 1, wherein said first end includes a plurality of projecting members, each said projecting member including an end having an inclined portion ending in a shoulder portion, said inclined portion and said shoulder portion forming a cam surface.
 9. The bezel according to claim 8, wherein said cam surface substantially locks said optical coupler positioned within the interior of said housing.
 10. The bezel according to claim 2, wherein said housing includes a side having an edge for engagement of an edge of said optical coupler.
 11. The bezel according to claim 1, wherein said second end includes a side having a guiding member for guiding an external device within said interior of said housing.
 12. The bezel according to claim 1, wherein said second end is flush with said panel.
 13. The bezel according to claim 1, wherein said bezel housing is positioned at an angle relative to said panel.
 14. A fiber optical connection panel comprising: a communication module including a fiber optical connector for making a connection with an external optical device; a connection surface positioned adjacent said module, said surface having an opening corresponding to said connector; and a bezel positioned within said opening for facilitating the optical connection between said connector and said external device, said bezel comprising: a housing, said housing defining an interior portion; a first open end for insertion into said opening and said module, wherein said first end receives said fiber optical connector from said module for connection with said external device; and a second open end having a removable cover, wherein said second end receives said external device for connection with said fiber optical connector of said module.
 15. The communication box according to claim 14, wherein said interior portion houses an optical coupler for connecting an optical connector of said module to an optical connector of said external device.
 16. The communication box according to claim 14, wherein said external device comprises an attenuator.
 17. The communication box according to claim 14, wherein said optical coupler comprises an SC optical coupler. 